European settlement of the area began in 1878,[3] when an area of forest called the Victoria Block was cleared and subdivided into 36 farming sections.[4]
The Manga-atua School house opened in the area 1887, with a roll of the 18 pupils increasing to 22 within the first day.[4] The school changed its name to Papatawa School in 1905, and it eventually gained an extra classroom.[1]
By the 1930s, the area had a dairy factory, a railway station, a county council yard, and a team of horses in stables. The area was connected by gravel roads, two rail lines and a shunting line. Cheese from the dairy factory was transported to the railway station by horse and cart, and most locals took the train to Woodville to do shopping.[1]
During the Great Depression, workers built a tennis court at the school and turned the school to face the sun. A pool was installed in the 1960s.[4]
21st century
The 4.5 kilometre Papatawa stretch of State Highway 2 has been the site of several fatal crashes.[6][7]
Between 2010 and 2014, the NZ Transport Agency realigned and straightened the 4.5 kilometre stretch of State Highway 2, with a new intersection, rail crossing, over-bridge, passing lane and stream diversion.[8] The $11 million project aimed to reduce crashes and separate local traffic from the 700 trucks that were using the road between Tararua and Hawke's Bay each day.[9]
Education
Papatawa School was a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students. The school opened in 1887 and operated through to August 2023 when it closed due to falling roll numbers. Children in the area now attend school in Woodville.[10]
Notable people
Anna Leese, international opera singer raised in Papatawa[1]
